For everyone who has been awaiting a lift for the late model Explorer
there's great news. Trail Master has made a 4" suspension lift based
on their popular Ranger lift kit. The prototype looked great on their '99
Explorer.

Trail Master's Explorer is running 295x75-17.00 tires which are approximately
equivalent to 32x11.50's. It appeared to me that 33's should fit
without a problem. The 295's fit perfectly within the stock wheel wells
without the need for extended flares. Their 4" kit will include a new rear
spring pack and drop brackets for the front suspension. One of the key
engineering features of this kit is that the CV joints retain their stock
angle allowing full droop and compression travel. Trail Master can
be reached at: 1-800-487-2456 Let them know you saw it here first!

While I was discussing their new lift kit I invited Trail Master to
attend our next Explorer run. There is a good possibility that they will
attend with this Explorer.

ARB is also introducing a lift kit for the late model Explorer. Their
kit will be good for about a 2" lift. Details were not yet available as
to what the kit consists of. ARB's President is familiar with this site
and is is anxious to work with us to get their product reviewed as soon
as it's available.

Next up is Ford's own concept Explorer the "Arctic Explorer". This Explorer,
based on the 2001 Sport Trac was fitted with 285x60-18
tires, a tubular brush guard and several interior upgrades. Not a bad looking
machine, but not nearly as offroad worthy as I would have like to have
seen.

The best concept vehicle in Fords stable was the Desert Excursion. Based
on their Excursion SUV, this truck had 4 doors and a short bed. The departure
angle is greatly improved compared to the huge SUV which it is based on,
this was accomplished by shortening the body thereby reducing the rear
overhang. The Desert Excursion also featured 36x12.50-16 Swampers, dual
shocks front and rear, dual fuel tanks, and a hidden front winch mount.

It's kind of sad to see how well the aftermarket is supporting the new
Excursion. There are several lift kits and accessories available for it
already. In my opinion it's just to big for any serious offroading especially
the kind that includes narrow trails and shelf roads. You can't blame the
aftermarket though. It's an easy truck to lift with it's solid front axle
and it looks like a true monster with just a few inches added to it's already
gargantuan stature.

There was one other noteworthy Explorer which I saw. It was a '99 and
it carried the "C4" logo. It looked like it had the torsion bar mod
with an add a leaf. The owner wasn't available, but I got his number and
I'll see if he's interested in having it featured here.

Well, that's it for today. Two more days to go and hopefully I'll have
more good news to report.

Day 2More GREAT news. Dave Meisner. was correct when he told me that the
Atlas II transfer case is now available for the Explorer. The Advance
Adapters Atlas II is available in two configurations. Ultra Low 3.8:1
reduction and Extreme Low 4.3:1 reduction. This is an extremely strong
unit built for the serious rock crawler and offroad enthusiast. You can
contact Advance Adapters at
805-238-7000. Let them know you saw it here!

It is a gear driven transfer case instead of the stock chain drive
and utilizes helical cut gears for quiet operation. Shifting is synchronized
and accomplished with dual sticks. This unit bolts directly to the stock
Explorer manual or automatic transmission.

I was pleased to hear from Advance Adapters general manager that input
from this website was directly responsible for the production of the Explorers
transfer case adapter. We are making an impact! This year has brought out
2 late model Explorer lifts and now this awesome transfer case conversion.

Day 3

I visited the Powertrax booth and had a chance to photograph their locker
in a Ford 8.8" rear end. The Powertrax folks told me that the unit is essentially
the same as a Lockrite Locker, but has the advantage of smoother engagement
and less noise on the road. This is accomplished by the use of precision
machined synchronizers. The Powertrax Locker uses your stock differential
case and is made for both open and limited slip cases.